Anadarko shuts down 3,000 wells after explosion in Firestone

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) has temporarily shut down more than 3,000 wells of a vintage similar to one near an explosion that killed two people in Firestone last week. The explosion occurred at a residence April 17.

“While these events remain under active investigation and much remains to be determined, in an abundance of caution, since the company operates more than 3,000 producing vertical wells of the same vintage, it has taken proactive measures to shut in all vertical wells across the counties in northeast Colorado where it operates,” Anadarko said in a press release.

Anadarko said the wells will remain shut “until the company’s field personnel can conduct additional inspections and testing of the associated equipment, such as facilities and underground lines associated with each wellhead. Particular focus is being placed on areas where housing and commercial developments are occurring in close proximity to existing infrastructure.”

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Inspection of the wells is expected to take two to four weeks.

“Colorado residents must feel safe in their own homes, and I want to be clear that we are committed to understanding all that we can about this tragedy as we work with each investigating agency until causes can be determined,” Brad Holly, Anadarko senior vice president, U.S. onshore exploration and production, said in a prepared statement.